Pandit Jasraj guruji left us after gifting Kerala the Mewati Swati Gharana, says Ramesh Narayan

Music legend

Pandit Jasraj

passed away in the US on Monday at the age of 90. The celebrated classical vocalist was a recipient of the Padma Shri (1975), Padma Bhushan (1990) and Padma Vibhushan (2000).

Musician Ramesh Narayan

, who has been Pandit Jasraj’s disciple for many years, breaks down as he speaks to us over the phone, after the passing away of his guru.

“He had been in the US in his school, and his health was alright, except for small issues occasionally. His treatment was also progressing well in the US. All I know is that on Monday, after his morning prayers, he collapsed… and he left us,” says Ramesh. Pandit Jasraj had been living in the US, where he ran an institution with his disciples.

Speaking on his connection with the legend, Ramesh says, “He left us, after giving Kerala a new school of music,

Mewati Swati Gharana

. I have lived under his shadow, since 1980. We used to meet every year, most recently I was given the award in his name in Mumbai. I was also supposed to meet him in July, for his 90th birthday celebration but we couldn’t go because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Recently, a five-day online festival, which was originally supposed to happen in the US, was organised in Pandit Jasraj's name. “When I told him that he came to our homes through the online fest, he was very happy. On the last day, he even cried; I have never seen him crying before that.”